Eloise 'Meets and Greets' the pups.

Yesterday, I noticed that the pups wanted to always sleep in the litterbox, so after many attempts to remove them to their bed with no luck, I figured I had to 'make new arrangements'.

So, the pen was expanded to include a decent sized crate with a thin cushion. I also placed snuggy stuffies in it to cuddle with. I moved the litterbox to the side of it as the first picture shows which allowed more space in the front to play and serve their food. This new design has appealed to them and they now sleep and potty in the right places. :+)

The pups are now beginning to eat with interest and drink water - Yeah! Momma Clara Belle has spent several hours with her guardians, away from the pups, to help initiate the weaning process. Clara returns all energized and excited to see her babies again. All are happy - the guardians, the pups and me. Peace at Annabelle Doodles. :+)

Green Boy has just pottied while Hazel and Red Boy play.


Hazel's turn!


Eloise is introducing herself to 'the boys'.


Elle is licking and hugging Green Boy. So cute.

We are 4 weeks old and getting a taste of 'fine dining'!

The pups have enjoyed their space in the puppy room and just a couple of days ago, I gave them a bit more room for sleeping and playing. They have been unbelievable about using the potty box - I am truly amazed. :+)

Clara Belle continues to be a doting mommy. I fear she may never want to stop nursing and cleaning them up. I am hopeful to begin the weaning process as Clara's owners are very anxious to have her back home.

On Sunday, I started their intro to a food source other than mom's milk. I used Goat's Milk with pulverized Quaker's Oat Meal soaked in it. It was warmed and I would dip my finger into it and then let the pup's lick my finger. They enjoyed it but were having nothing to do with going to the dish and lapping. I expected this and kept offering the mixture to them at various times of the day just so that they taste a different texture in their mouths.

Today, there is definitely more interest in the bowl of food mix and they are beginning to 'get it'. Hopefully, tomorrow we will see a real interest in licking up their food. Once they are confident about eating from the bowl, then and ONLY then, can I begin the true weaning process which usually takes a week to accomplish.

The pups walk around very well now and play more. They still require lots of sleep though. I love the fact that all of them now wag their little tails when they hear my voice or I go in to pat and hold them. :+)

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Red Boy is really growing by leaps and bounds. He weighs 5 lbs. at 4 weeks. He has a beautiful long tail and wags it readily. I love the white tip at its end. :+)


Hazel Mae looks like she is ready for her nap! She is a sweet thing and is eager to search out the world. A lovely local couple is very interested in being her guardian home. I am delighted!! Hazel weighs 3 3/4 lbs. this week.


Green Boy weighs the same as Hazel - 3 & 3/4 lbs. His curls just keep growing and his white markings seem to get brighter and brighter against his apricot coloring. A bit more on the shy side but that will go away with more exposure. He is a dear tyke!

We have donned our Santa Suits!

Oh goodness! Look what we have on!!! We are certainly getting into the spirit - Ho, Ho, Ho!!!

Hazel Mae is licking her chops because she knows when this photo shoot is done, mommy will be there to nurse. Hazel weighs 3.4 lbs. (Hazel has a potential guardian home!)


Green Boy was so compliant, I plopped him down and he just posed. He weighs 3.4 lbs. too.


Of course Fat Albert aka Red Boy is still topping the scales at 4.2 lbs. He barely fit in my sleigh. The Santa coat certainly did not even come close to being snapped together. Too funny!

THREE WEEKS is such a milestone!

During the second and third week, the pups begin to open their eyes, try to focus on their surroundings and use tremendous effort to stand. At this critical time, it is very important that the area they are in remain somewhat dim as their eyes begin to adjust. They also learn that they have voices and they utter some adorable notes - more like a bird trill.

Three weeks is when they make another huge transition - a new space which includes a potty box! No, they are not using it yet, mommy is still doing most of the work still. I do however, pick them up and place them in it to get use to the feel of the litter. This is the first introduction. Eventually, as their 'sea legs' gain strength they will want to keep their sleeping space clean and seek their potty area.

This is a pic of the new arrangement in the pup room. The black walls on the right are foam and prevents drafts coming through from the puppy door.


Here they are settling in nicely on their new bedding and space. I have attached some interesting 'ornaments' to stimulate their eyes and mouths.


They have awoken from a nap and seem to be 'conversing' about their new digs!


Soon play ensues and it is adorable to watch them interact. Red Boy is interested in the light blue elephant. As each week progresses in development, the arrangement will change to both challenge and stimulate their growth.

I just LOVE having the Christmas Season to show off puppies!

TWO WEEKS ALREADY!

The pups are simply delicious! Clara Belle is a wonderful, caring, feeding and cleaning machine. She is so attentive to their every whim. Thankfully, she has her appetite back and that is such a relief for me. :+)

I took the pups to my bedroom vanity display for their photo shoot. Since they did so well, I decided to post two pics of each pup. I didn't think anyone would mind the extra pics. :+)

This is my hopeful breeding female for a guardian home, I hope! She weighs 2.48 lbs.




This little man will sport some adorable curly locks that will be the envy of many women. Add those dashes of white and most will be swooning! Green Boy weighs 2.28 lbs. this week.




Okay, NOBODY take offense, but I have come to call Red Boy 'Fat Albert'. He is a VACUUM and thinks Clara is a smorgasbord! I have to use two hands to pick up this cuddly porker. :+) He weighs 2.96 lbs.

They are a week old!

Yes, their eyes and ears are still closed at this time. The days are spent sleeping, nursing and 'squeaking' every now and again. :+) Clara Belle keeps them filled with warm milk and does an excellent job of keeping them clean. I hold them several times a day to weigh them and cuddle a bit but don't overdo it at this time. What they need for the first two weeks is Mother's warm milk and gentle tongue and not much interference from me. They are gaining nicely.

This is Purple Girl (1.44 lbs.) I hope to have a guardian family for this girl if all goes well. She has the silkiest coat of the threesome.


Red Boy was the biggest born and continues to dominate the weight scale at 1.88 lbs. This pic does not show that he does have white toes still and a bit of white on his head. He has the lightest coloring.


Sporting his Elvis Presley curls at birth, Green Boy weighs 1.32 lbs. Since he is darker in color than his siblings, his white shows a bit more. I just love those white markings!!

It is tiring to be a good mom.

That is one BIG YAWN Clara Belle! It did not take long for her to be sleeping soundly, along with her three little cherubs. :+)



Don't you just love the fact that Clara is using the Teddy Bear as a pillow? I swear, Clara is snoring, but the little ones have full bellies and sleeping as soundly as their mom. :+)

Baby bunting. (pics added!)

Today, the pups and Clara Belle went to the vets for their initial check ups. The dew claws were removed from the pups to prevent possible snags and tears in the future; and they were checked for cleft palates, umbilical hernias or bleeding. Clara Belle was checked for milk, fever, infections, etc. They all got a clean bill of health. :+)



I transit them to and from the car via the small navy bunting that has a heated 'rice pad' in it. Once packed in the bunting, I whisk them to the heated car where I have a nice cozy dog bed with a plush pillow in it for Clara's and their comfort. The ride is uneventful because mommy is with her babies safe and comfy.



When at the vet, Clara is checked first with her 'bunting babies' nearby so she is not too stressed. When they take the pups to the surgical area for the dew claw removal, I take Clara outside for a short walk. When we return, the babies are finished and we pack up again for our ride home. It was a good day. :+)

More news! Olive's Ultra Sound shows at least ...

five pups! U/S is not typically accurate for number of pups but there is no doubt she is pregnant. We think she will be due on New Year's Eve. So, just maybe we will be celebrating with the New Yorkers at Times Square. :+)

Re-introducing the Three Mouse-kateers!

It appears the pics did not come through the way I thought they would, so I am trying to re-post the individual shots of the cutie pies. :+)

In a row - Red Boy, Green Boy and Purple Girl.

Here are the Three Mouse-kateers!

I knew yesterday morning that Clara Belle appeared to be 'in the whelping mode'. Annabelle had an appointment with her vet, so I asked Clara to at least wait until I returned. Good girl that she is, she did.

At approximately 3:00, she really started with heavy contractions.

Red Boy was born at 3:50 PM He was the biggest pup born, but that has no bearing at all on his size at maturity. He simply had the best 'feeding station position' in her womb. :+) He has lovely waves and is a creamy apricot in color with a few 'white' markings that will mesh into his fur color as he grows.

At 5:28 PM, Green Boy entered his new world. He will be curly and his markings are more obvious. He also has some white toes, a white blaze on his chest along with the white flash on his head. Don't you just love the 'airplane' ears? :+)

Finally, at 6:30 PM the lady of the threesome arrived. She is a dainty thing who will have a slightly wavy coat. From what I can see at this time, there are no white markings on her. My plan is to keep this girl for my program unless I change my mind at a later date. So, for right now, she is not available. Please note that any local person reading this could be a possible guardian home candidate for her. Call or email. :+)

They love to cuddle with their mommy, who is very attentive.

The happy family. :+)

Clara had 3 pups this afternoon! I believe she is finished

but I will be thrilled if another makes it's way into the world. Clara is resting comfortably at the moment. She had a bit to eat and drink and the pups are nursing contentedly.

There were two boys and a girl. I suspected a small litter and was right. Although the boys will more than likely turn out magnificent, I want to keep a girl from this pairing. That leaves only the boys for homes. There were no parti colored pups, but the two boys do have a bit of white on their chests, heads, toes, etc. They will be adorable.

Thankfully, most of you were flexible with wanting a pup from either litter.

So, one down with just one more to go! I bet Olive rings in the New Year with her brood!!!

I will upload pics tomorrow. :+)

Maybe today.....

Clara does not want to eat and she is resting comfortably in her 'nest'. Her temperature has finally dropped to 98 degrees which is a big indicator that whelping is very close.

I bet I should have some news to share within 24 hours! :+)

Clara's x-ray shows what I expected - a small litter.

Typically an early ultra sound proves that a dog is pregnant. Yes, you can count puppies, but it is difficult to make an accurate count. I typically back up the u/s with an x-ray later in their pregnancy. Because of Clara Belle's late breeding, I suspected she would have a small litter and made the decision to breed Olive for puppies to be born a bit later than Clara's.

My plan is to also pick a 'breeding pup' from each litter as a prospect for later inclusion in my program. It is a prerogative many breeders use to assure themselves of future stock.

At the moment, there should be enough pups for all my Clara/Olive applications. Some of you may need to switch to Olive's list, if gender, color or litter size don't match up from Clara. In any event, pups will be going home in either early March (Clara) or early April (Olive). Spring is a great time for bringing a pup into your household!

I plan to bred Maple in January, if she stays on schedule. Maple's pups should be ready for homes sometime in June. Her list is open at this time.

Just wanted to keep everyone updated. :+)

Clara Belle is here for her 'maternity stay'.

Clara Belle arrived last night and is very comfortable at her birthplace. :+)

Today, I decided to give her a clipping for easy cleaning during her whelp. It will also allow the pups to nurse without getting tangled up in long fur. Due to the late breeding, I am not expecting a large litter from Clara, but I know there are a few in there!!!

Wishing you all a wonderful Thanksgiving Day!

A 'Cinder-fella' story (and important facts)

Coriander's 'fairy tale' began under a haystack in South Carolina. I am told this is a common home environment for dogs raised with some breeders located there, but it is NOT an acceptable home for any of our furry companions.

Coriander was two years old when Ocean State Labradoodles and I decided to 'wave our wands' and whisk him away from his barn-yard hay pile to hopefully participate in our stud programs. When I picked him up at the airport, he looked like a tumbleweed with a Mohawk strip on his head! Oh my!!! He let me scrub, cut, trim and clip for hours and days with nary a complaint. I was blown away by this guy's pliable temperament - absolute putty.

Since he lived outside, Coriander had never been indoors nor socialized very well as a pup. Neither did he know what a toy was or how to play ball. After a couple of months of 'home environment socialization' he showed much promise and eventually was offered up for a guardian home placement. Lucky for us, one of my past Labradoodle owners wanted to add him to their household and continue to socialize him.

After a bit, I decided to mate Coriander with Maple Sugar. It was important that we know if Coriander had a genetic flaw or if the typical 'joy of life' that most Cockapoos have was environmentally stagnated. Thankfully, his genetics are solid and the litter from Maple x Coriander were delightful in every way. (please click on the Maple x Cori link located on the Index for the entire blog on this mating)

Today, Coriander excitedly chases a ball, loves the water and is an exuberant explorer in the woods when taken to parks and rivers. He loves all other dogs but still needs time to warm up to strangers. He has come such a long way from being 'the dog that wanted to hide' to jumping up on my car door woofing with glee that Olive came for a date. :+)

Puppies that have a loving and stimulating environment learn confidence very early. Coriander did not have this opportunity and had to be introduced to the world beyond his 'kennel'. Coriander's great strides from 'hayseed to explorer' is a shining example that many obstacles can be overcome with a gentle hand and a lot of patience. I can't thank Carina and Aaron enough for being Coriander's 'Fairy Godmothers'.

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A docked tail is common for Cockapoos. For Coriander, it just means that he must wag his ENTIRE back end to express his delight and he does so at every opportunity. He has lovely confirmation and is slightly larger than most of his brethren. His boning is outstanding.















Coriander's expression is calm and gentle. A testament to his sweet nature.






















I love his broad muzzle, perfect bite and clean, tear-stain free eyes. He has never had an ear infection which is quite uncommon for a 'floppy eared' dog and is a nice bonus to his overall quality testing results.

I could not resist adding this black and white pic sent by his guardians. It gives you a great shot of him in a much longer coat. :+)




If you really do your research and ask a lot of questions, reputable breeders who are willing to educate, will divulge that Cockapoos/Spaniels are an integral component of the Australian Labradoodle's make-up. Without them, the chocolate color would not have 'joined' our color list. Nor would the smaller versions of the Australian Labradoodle been available. Yes, Toy or Mini Poodles do bring down the size but many of these matings produce tiny and fragile structures. The use of the Cockapoo Hybrid and pure Spaniels brought much needed bulk to the conformational development of both the small and medium sized Australian Labradoodles.

What do I expect from the mating of Coriander to our ebony Australian beauty, Olive? Puppies with bright and inquisitive minds; wonderfully broad heads and sturdy bodies with easy to manage 'low to non' shedding coats. Let's not forget the compliant natures of both parents and those lovely soulful eyes. We could have solid colors or a myriad of coat patterns such as parti, sable or abstracts.

Whelping always has a surprise or two and I look forward to ringing in the New Year holding Olive's paws and coaching her if needed. I hope you will join us in this adventure.

Olive Oyl.

Please check out Coriander and Olive's Test Results by going to the Home Page and clicking their picture. I feel he was a great stud choice for Olive.